Distractions...

My friend is going through an acknowledged difficult time.  She recently disconnected from a longterm boyfriend.  Yeah.  Kind of tough.  Even tougher considering its Detroit.  Not the easiest place to find anyone stimulating.  No offense people - but - it isn't as if we have a downtown to walk around or just too many cultural activities to choose from.

So, we were talking the other day.  She wants to get married.  Have kids.  Reasonable thing to do at 30 everywhere.  In Detroit, a lot of time, we get the feeling that we are getting ancient.  By we, I mean guys and girls.  It isn't just my girl friends.  These are sentiments shared by my guy friends as well.  Pressure pressure pressure.  Because, really, what else is there to do?  (I am dripping with sarcasm when I say this, but please realize I am echoing the opinions many in this city have.  I do not share with them in this idea mind you.)  

"Well," I ask, "What are you going to do about it?"

"My mom suggested this website.  Plenty of Fish.com"  

"Oh!?" I say, "How is that working out for you?"

"These guys are stupid, but whatever."

"Hmm."  I reply.  "What else, then?  Because meeting people at bars is lame."  

"Well, I think I need to meet as many guys as possible and someone gave me an idea.  Do you want to hear it?"  

"Do tell." I encouraged.

My friend went about explaining that she is now calling guys "Distractions".  She reasons, probably rightly, that it is too early for her to jump into another serious relationship.  However, she also reasons that she should meet as many guys as possible.  She is aiming for 5 guys that she talks to, texts, goes out to dinner with, and no going into the bedroom with at all times.  So, because most of these guys turn out to be losers, she is vowing to get a phone number every time she goes somewhere whether it be Gander Mountain (because she likes guys that are into the Outdoors thing like camping and bow and arrow hunting) or a restaurant.  Any guy.  Must have 5 at all times.

Interesting concept.  I will continue to update results...

Wayne State Class...

I'm taking an Advanced International Finance class at Wayne State this semester...easing me back into school.  The first day of class, I thought myself lucky to find a parking spot right in front of my building for $8 for the two hours that I am in class.  In DC, it would be like $12 - if I could find a spot at GWU.  I would need at least a half hour before class to do it too.  In Detroit, this is no problem.  Not only can I always find a spot, but I can also do U-turns in the middle of the road due to the small amount of traffic without too much beeping of horns from angry drivers.  Awesome!

Detroit cops did not assault man...really?

http://www.freep.com/article/20090930/NEWS01/90930032/1319/Jury--Cops-did-not-assault-man-with-cavity-search

I want to know how a jury in Detroit ruled that these particular cops did not assault a man while doing a cavity search.  Lawyers I know question the verdict.  I personally question why these two officers have settled to the tune of close to $400,000 in out of court cases pertaining to other searches they have done, but are somehow not guilty this time?  Shady Shady Shady.  Of course, we are talking about the City of Detroit...should any of this be surprising?  I hope this man appeals.

Why do they pave these streets?

Today I was on a street off of Dexter and Grand Blvd on the Westside of the city.  The picture above is typical of the house.  Notice:  It is completely not secure.  This house needs to be bulldozed.  Along with most of the block...because that is what the block looks like.

Oh, and did I mention?  They are re-paving this street.  Yeah...so the 3 official residents that do still call it home can have a beautiful, newly paved block for a few months - or at least until the first major snow comes. Then, like last year, I am sure the city will take weeks to remove the snow...causing cracks and everything else in the newly paved street - so next summer - for the 3 residents - it can look terrible again.

I wonder who has these contracts?  I am sure the residents of Northlawn would much rather see their ridiculously high taxes go towards bulldozing the many vandalized beyond repair houses on their block than to have a newly paved street.

Of course, I am just guessing....

Billboard I saw today in the 'hood.....

MetroPCS.  Let's face it - they cater to the 'hood.  So today, I see a sign along 94.  "Unlimited International Calling.  $5.00 per month"  Now, granted, their average inner-city customer is not going to use this at all.  A lot of these people walk everywhere (maybe this is why there seems to be a Metro PCS on every other block in the city of Detroit) due in part because car insurance companies consider Detroit a war-zone and most people cannot afford $275 per month for insurance payments.  To many of the residents of Detroit, if you live on the West side, the East side is a foreign country.

The people who I am happy for are our immigrant populations.  Instead of getting completely ripped off buying international phone cards from the liquor stores that falsely advertise 1000s of minutes for great rates, my Mexican, Bangladeshi, Albanian, Yemini immigrant friends can pay $5.00 more per month and actually get a deal!

http://www.metropcs.com/world/

Amazing.